April 07, 2009

Moped U.

Wisconsin players are using scholarship funds earmarked for housing and food to purchase mopeds and — in some cases — cars, according to a report by WKOW-TV in Madison.

Now there is nothing illegal about this, but there are several interesting twists. The station verified that at least 22 starting players or top reserves on the Badger team that played in December's Champs Sports Bowl have received traffic citations on mopeds, including tight end Lance Kendricks' conviction for drunk driving.

At least one moped was sold to a player by Cindy Alvarez, wife of athletic director Barry Alvarez. A source told the station the player received the moped shortly after beginning his freshman season. Records show since acquiring the moped, eviction proceedings were started against the player by two separate landlords over unpaid rent, and the player's driver's license was suspended. The player, whose identity was not revealed, remains on the team.

Linebacker Jonathan Casillas told the station he bought a moped
using scholarship money for housing. Casillas was arrested last August for
allegedly driving while intoxicated and has a plea hearing scheduled
for April 22.

Wisconsin officials say use of housing and food stipends is at the discretion of the student-athletes and purchasing mopeds and cars is legal.

The UW football players have been driving mopeds since I was a kid growing up in Madison in the late '80s, early '90s - it was always a treat to see some big ol' football player on a moped downtown. I'm just curious as to how this is suddenly news...